Eurogamer
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| URL | http://www.eurogamer.net/ |
|---|---|
| Commercial? | No |
| Type of site | video game news & reviews for Europe |
| Owner | Rupert Loman Nick Loman |
| Created by | Unknown |
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news and reviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer grew to become one of the most important European based websites focused on video games. Eurogamer Network claims that the site has the largest readership of any videogames website in the UK (over 1.3 million unique users in November 2006)[1], and it is presently the only such site whose traffic is independently audited by the ABC Electronic system.[2]
Most of the reviews (which are scored on a 10 point scale) are of European or PAL releases of the games, but given the time disparity between Japanese or North American/NTSC releases, some reviews are done using the latter. The version used, however, is always indicated. Other features include news, screenshot galleries, reader reviews, reader scores, previews, articles, release dates and a forum. In February 2006, the company launched Eurogamer TV,[3] which provides trailers and other video content directly in the browser using Macromedia Flash technology.
The main site was heavily redesigned in May 2005 and continues to providing all of its content for free - unlike some other gaming websites, there are no "premium accounts" or any other kind of privileges for paying members.
Eurogamer's current editor is Kristan Reed, previously editor of weekly videogames trade journal CTW. Deputy Editor Tom Bramwell is the longest-serving member of the editorial staff, having worked on the publication since early 2000.
Eurogamer contributors include PC Gamer and Edge magazine writers such as Kieron Gillen (PC Gamer/ Edge), Jim Rossignol (PC Gamer/ Edge), John Walker (PC Gamer), Simon Parkin (Edge) and David McCarthy (Edge), as well as former GamesIndustry.biz editor Rob Fahey. Additionally, a number of regular contributors to the site write under pseudonyms (such as Egon Superb).
Some of the Eurogamer staff also work on GamesIndustry.biz, a gaming industry news site also operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd.
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[edit] Controversy
[edit] Founding
It was reported in the media that Rupert Loman, who was 16 at the time, managed to raise approximately £300,000 in investment capital to fund Eurogamer. However, this was not the case and the business was actually founded without any external investment.
[edit] Reviews
A small number of Eurogamer's reviews have caused some controversy among readers, such as Halo 2[4]: the single player review initially awarded an 8/10 mark, one of the lowest according to Game Rankings,[5] although later revised to 9/10 combined with multiplayer, and the Xbox version of FIFA Street[6] (8/10, one of the highest according to the same site).[7]
In June 2006, British games journalist Stuart Campbell heavily criticised Eurogamer's 9/10 review[8] of Sensible Soccer 2006, Codemasters’ and Kuju Entertainment’s update of the franchise. In an article on his website, Campbell detailed bugs and glitches which he claimed marred the game, noting that Eurogamer had neglected to mention any of these flaws.[9] Campbell challenged the veracity of Eurogamer’s claim in a May 2006 preview[10] that Sensible Soccer 2006 was not developed by the same team behind Codemasters’ Club Football series, despite apparent similarities between the respective game engines. Also, Campbell remarked on the comments section related to Eurogamer’s review[11], claiming that some of the negative feedback on the game had been deleted. In addition, Campbell questioned Eurogamer's integrity in awarding Sensible Soccer 2006 such a "hyperbolically positive" rating, in spite of the technical and design issues, concluding that: "... the review was published early enough that, should it happen to produce a favourable score and/or some good quotes, there'd be just enough time to get them included on box stickers, promotional materials and adverts. That this very thing then went on to happen is, your reporter feels sure, merely a coincidence and in no way suspicious."
[edit] Subidiaries and divisions
[edit] Eurogamer TV
Launched in February 2006, Eurogamer TV (EGTV) is an extension of the Eurogamer brand offering a new streaming video service ranging from trailers for upcoming games to event reports. The first custom content to appear on the streaming service was video coverage of E3 2006. Since all the videos are played in the web browser using Flash Player, there is no need for viewers to install additional video software or codecs. EGTV is edited and presented by journalist Johnny Minkley, who has in the past appeared on BBC Radio 1's Jo Whiley show, and edited ComputerAndVideoGames.com and trade publication MCV. During May 2006, Eurogamer's viewers watched over 250,000 videos. In keeping with the growing multimedia theme that Eurogamer is moving towards, the site also began publishing podcasts in the Summer of 2006.
[edit] Eurogamers
In January 2007 the company's corporate site was updated to indicate the forthcoming launch of Eurogamers. Billed as "The social network for gamers", Eurogamers is expected to vastly increase the number of community features within the Eurogamer network of websites.
[edit] Eurogamer Germany
At the Leipzig Games Convention in August 2006, Eurogamer launched their first foreign language site - Eurogamer.de.
[edit] Eurogamer France
The company's corporate website was updated in January 2007 to indicate that a French-language site, Eurogamer.fr, is currently under development.
[edit] GamesIndustry.biz
GamesIndustry.biz is a website for news and information about the global video games industry, covering all aspects of the interactive entertainment value chain from development to retail.
[edit] MobileIndustry.biz
MobileIndustry.biz is a website for news and information about the mobile games industry.
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ Press release announcing Eurogamer.net's November 2006 traffic statistics
- ^ The ABC Electronic Website
- ^ Eurogamer TV
- ^ Eurogamer's Halo 2 review
- ^ Game Rankings page for Halo 2
- ^ Eurogamer's FIFA Street Review
- ^ Game Rankings page for FIFA Street
- ^ Eurogamer review of Sensible Soccer 2006
- ^ Stuart Campbell's article on "The Great Sensible Soccer Swindle".
- ^ Eurogamer's preview of Sensible Soccer 2006.
- ^ Eurogamer's comments section on Sensible Soccer 2006
